Genesis 37:17-27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:25

And they sat down to eat bread ,.... Not at all concerned at what they had done, nor in the least grieved for the affliction of Joseph, and without any pity and compassion for him in his distress, but joyful and glad they had got him into their hands, and like to get rid of him for ever: and they lifted up their eyes, and looked , after they had eaten their food, or while they were eating it: and, behold, a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead ; a place of merchandise for spices... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:26

And Judah said unto his brethren ,.... In sight of the Ishmaelites, a thought came into his mind to get Joseph sold to them: what profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood ? it could be no advantage to them even if they could have concealed his blood from men; and if it was discovered, as it would, in all likelihood, by come means or another, then they must be answerable for it; and if not, God would take vengeance on them, from whom they could never conceal it; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:27

Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites ,.... For a slave, and that will defeat his dream; and as these were going down to Egypt, where they would sell him, he would be far enough from them, and there would be no probability of his ever being lord over them: and let not our hand be upon him ; to take away his life, either by stabbing or starving him: for he is our brother, and our flesh ; they had all one father, though different mothers, and therefore, as the relation was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:19

Behold, this dreamer cometh - החלמות בעל baal hachalomoth , this master of dreams, this master dreamer. A form of speech which conveys great contempt. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:20

Come now and let us slay him - What unprincipled savages these must have been to talk thus coolly about imbruing their hands in an innocent brother's blood! How necessary is a Divine revelation, to show man what God hates and what he loves! Ferocious cruelty is the principal characteristic of the nations and tribes who receive not the law at his mouth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:21

Reuben heard it - Though Reuben appears to have been a transgressor of no ordinary magnitude, if we take Genesis 35:22 ; according to the letter, yet his bosom was not the habitation of cruelly. He determined, if possible, to save his brother from death, and deliver him safely to his father, with whose fondness for him he was sufficiently acquainted. Josephus, in his usual way, puts a long flourishing speech in the mouth of Reuben on the occasion, spoken in order to dissuade his brethren... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:23

They stripped Joseph out of his coat - This probably was done that, if ever found, he might not be discerned to be a person of distinction, and consequently, no inquiry made concerning him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:25

They sat down to eat bread - Every act is perfectly in character, and describes forcibly the brutish and diabolic nature of their ruthless souls. A company of Ishmaelites - We may naturally suppose that this was a caravan, composed of different tribes that, for their greater safety, were traveling together, and of which Ishmaelites and Midianites made the chief. In the Chaldee they are called Arabians, which, from ערב arab , to mingle, was in all probability used by the Targumist as... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:18

Verse 18 18.And when they saw him afar off. Here again Moses, so far from sparing the fame of his own family by adulation, brands its chiefs with a mark of eternal infamy, and exposes them to the hatred and execration of all nations. If, at any time, among heathens, a brother murdered his brother, such impiety was treated with the utmost severity in tragedies, that it might not pass into an example for imitation. But in profane history no such thing is found, as that nine brethren should... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:20

Verse 20 20.And cast him into some pit. Before they perpetrate the murder, they seek a pretext whereby they may conceal their crime from men. Meanwhile, it never enters into their mind, that what is hidden from men cannot escape the eyes of God. But so stupid is hypocrisy, that while it flees from the disgrace of the world, it is careless about the judgment of God. But it is a disease deeply rooted in the human mind, to put some specious color on every extreme act of iniquity. For although an... read more

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